Issue 6: Fall 2014 by Pink & Blue Magazine

YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A CLEK FOONF CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT IN TOKIDOKI TRAVEL (VALUED AT $550) & A TRAVEL BAG ( VALUED AT $180) FOR A TOTAL OF $680 VALUE TO THE WINNER OF THE CONTEST. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE ON OUR SITE OR VISIT OUR CONTEST PAGE FOR FULL RULES & CONTEST DETAILS: http://www.pinkandbluemag.com/contest/view?contestid=xKNOm3MhMQ.

Foonf Convertible Car Seat in Tokidoki Travel (Valued at CAD$550) Boasts revolutionary safety technology and convenient features to let you drive assured knowing your child is secure, safe and comfortable sitting in rearfacing up to 50 lbs. or forward-facing up to 65 lbs. Key features include the REACT system, rigid-LATCH for easy installation, and Crypton® Super Fabrics.

The Weelee (Valued at CAD$130) Is a universal travel bag designed to protect your car seat from damage while traveling. Equipped with two rugged wheels, a telescoping handle, luggage ID tag, thick layers of padding for optimal protection, plus a little extra room to stow extra vacation essentials. Weelee folds flat for easy storage and fits clek’s foonf, fllo and oobr models and most other car seat brands.

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DO YOU LIKE NEW THINGS? SIGN UP NOW! and your opinions can be in our next issue! ( Mom Squad. Tried and tested by

our top Moms! We are giving our STAMP OF APPROVAL) Join our roster of testers! We send you products to use, recipes, new books to read, and you provide your feedback at pinkandbluemag.com.

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We are what companies are looking for, Real Moms with Real Opinions. Pink & Blue MAG is providing our

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By Nico

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t’s that time of year again. Summer vacation is nearly over and the start of the school year is rightaround the corner. This can be a stressful time for any family. No matter how many kids you’re sendingoff to school, or how old they are; preparing them and your entire household for the new school year is always a challenge. But like almost any tough challenge, this one’s not only worth doing, but worth doing right! Personally, I know that there’s no feeling quite like the sense of satisfaction that you get when your child’s packed for school (not forgetting a single pencil or snack), in class on-time, and ready to face the day—all without breaking with your whole family’s daily routine. This is also the time of year to get some me-time in. It’s easy to forget yourself in the hustle and bustle of the new school year. Now that your kids are finally out of the house more, make a point to take that cool class you’ve had your eye on, to set some volunteer time aside, or to pick up that half-read bookyou still haven’t finished over the summer. Above all, enjoy yourself while you can! Your children will be happiest when everyone

in their family is happy! Here at Pink and Blue, we’re giving it our all to help moms and dads reach that balanced, organized, back-to-school bliss! That’s why we’ve packed this issue with info and stories that are sure to get the whole family starting the new school year in top form. Among many other great features, we’ve included: language learning tips for all ages by experts at Speech Therapy Centres, back-to-school budgeting advice by Leah Drewcock, and simple yoga exercises for any mommy striving for that awesome healthy lifestyle. As always, we would love your feedback. You can send in your pictures, articles, topic ideas, and recipes. We relish the chance to share anything informative and creative with our readers. Your submissions could be featured in our next issue or on our website at www.pinkandbluemag.com. So before your kids start scrawling in their notepads and buying textbooks, sit back with your iPad orrelax with a notebook and enjoy. The latest back-to-school lessons are in session, time to get top marks!

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This stack of colourful containers provides a fun, practical way to pack balanced, on-the-go meals wherever life takes you. Stack them directly into your soft-sided carrier or use them inside your bento lunch box for optimum versatility. The extra large container is perfect for salads, sandwiches, and leftovers. Need an additional condiment or snack to make your bento meal complete? Relax. These Bento Buddies will have your back!

Write. Remove. Rewrite. The FriXion Erasable Gel Ball Pen in orange will make your next writing experience a blast! This pen has a new thermo sensitive gel ink that glides smoothly along the paper and is easily erased with friction! A rubber eraser that leaves no residue while erasing and will not tear the paper is located at the tip of the pen.

Perfectly sized for your little one, these backpacks feature a unique horizontal design that keeps supplies within easy reach. The cover flap pocket opens to a main compartment with plenty of space for a folder, storybook, small blanket or sweater. Two interior slip pockets hold small necessities like pencils, and crayons. Even when it’s packed to the brim, this backpack rests comfortably on kid shoulders, thanks to contoured shoulder straps with cushy padding. Also available are matching Lunch Bags andDuffle Bags, available in great new styles like Dino Camo, Sassy Spots Leopard Print andButterfly Garden. With every backpack purchase, Bixbee will donate aschoolbag with supplies to a kid in need.

These siliconenotebooks are stylish, soft and fun to touch. Use the included tiles to customize your journal, any way you like. Great for school, travel, or regular day use. This book comes with two different colored silicone closures that can also be used to design and close the notebook covers. Customize your WAFF Notebook with refill letters, coloured cubes and more (available separately).

This Children’s Map of the World is a laminated wall map that allows you to use washable markers to write or illustrate your own features! Match the number beside each of the 97 illustrations to the number on the legend and find out what the illustration is showing! There are lots of cool things to see and learn both on the land and in the waters.

“This amazing piece of technology will help you keep track of homework assignments, manage your time, stay organized, plan your social life and possibly give you X-Ray Vision (but you probably shouldn’t count on it.” Kids will love using this Wimpy Kid planner full of silly sayings, fun activities and images from their favourite book series.

BONUS OFFER* Complete an RESP appointment and receive a $50 Gift Card Iris Raif Sales Representative C.S.T. Consultants Inc. Branch 889 (416) 855-2266 ext. 312 iris.raif@cstresp.com http://www.cst.org/9174

* No purchase necessary. Bonus offer by Iris Raif only. Inquire at time of booking whether your appointment qualifies. Full appointment must be completed to qualify. We reserve the right to cancel or amend this promotion at any time. Offer valid in Ontario only. Must redeem by December 31, 2014 or while quanitites last. One gift card per customer.

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Why a CST RESP is the perfect birthday gift? Help ensure that a child’s long-term dreams come true. Birthdays are a special time for children; a time when they receive cards, treats and gifts. Many people give children money as a birthday gift. While it’s a good idea for children to have some pocket money, putting aside money for a child through a long-term savings vehicle like an RESP is the kind of gift that keeps on giving.

Every child deserves a CST RESP Through the power of compound earnings, even a small amount contributed in the early stages of a child’s life can grow to a considerable amount of savings over time. A CST RESP offers many advantages including: Principal protection: Your RESP principal is 100% invested in stable and secure fixed-income government bonds and the principal will be returned to you at maturity.

Earning power you need: The income your principal earns is invested in a mix of Canadian equities, U.S. and Canadian Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and investment-grade corporate bonds to make sure your investment earns competitive returns over the life of the plan.

Hassle-free: You don’t have to constantly monitor performance.

Flexible study options: Your child can pursue and fund their full or part-time studies almost anywhere, here or abroad.

The next time you find yourself putting money into a child’s birthday card, think how it can go towards helping to pay for the gift of knowledge and higher learning through the power of an RESP. Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan is only sold by Prospectus. Investors should read the Prospectus before making an investment decision because it includes important detailed information. You can get copies of the Prospectus from www.cst.org

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Hassle-free: You don’t have to constantly monitor performance.

Flexible study options: Your child can pursue and fund their full or part-time studies almost anywhere, here or abroad.

For more information, Ontario residents can call Iris Raif at 416-855-2266 x312

eliac is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. According to health Canada, over 300,000 Canadians are living with coeliac or a gluten intolerance. This intolerance weakens the intestines and makes the body unable to absorb certain nutrients like iron, calcium and folate, and vitaminsA, B12, D, E and K. Celiac and gluten sensitivities can be very painful to live with, causing stomach cramping, skin rashes and weight loss among other symptoms. Children with coeliac can also experience vomiting, growth restrictions, dental problems, behavioral changes and delayed puberty. Though there is no cure for celiac, its symptoms can be treated by a glutenfree diet. This diet must be followed very strictly to allow the intestines to heal, and the symptoms to go away. A gluten free diet however, is not an easy one to stick with, and the list of restricted foods is shockingly long. Bread, croutons, baked goods, pasta, and oatmeal are all, not surprisingly, off limits, along with some foods you wouldn’t think of such as soy sauce, hot dogs, and licorice. With gluten hiding in plain sight all over your grocery store shelves, it can become quite frustrating to find foods that a gluten free family member can actually enjoy.

The easiest way to make sure your food is gluten free, is to make it from scratch, so you know exactly what goes into it. It’s also a much more economical way to eat, and offers a lot more variety. Using simple substitutions, almost any comfort foods your family love can be made gluten free. Try switching out your spaghetti noodles for spaghetti squash, or your lasagna noodles for zucchini, for great tasting pasta dishes that not only eliminates gluten, but are light in carbohydrates and heavy in nutrients. Switching out the flour in your recipes is another option. Coconut flour is readily available and makes a great substitute, and what you lose in gluten, you more than gain in added fibre and protein. It also has a slight taste of coconut which can really add something special to your baked goods. Try this super simple pancake recipe made with just four ingredients and you may never go back to pre-made mix again.

Makes about 20 small pancakes 2 large overripe bananas 4 eggs 4 tbsp coconut flour ¾ cup chocolate chips Mash the bananas and eggs until there are no lumps. Add flour and chocolate chips and stir until combined. Heat a tbsp. of butter in a non-stick skillet and pour in a dollop of the mix, cook for about two minutes per side. These pancakes are flimsier than normal, so be careful when flipping. Enjoy Although a celiac diagnosis can seem daunting, with a little knowledge of ingredients and a willingness to try new things, you may find that your family doesn’t even miss gluten at all.

’m tired-all the time! With 3 kids and 2 jobs, I am entitled to feel that way. Lately, I‘ve been looking for something that would force me to slow down and reenergize. An all-inclusive vacation with some girlfriends would have done the trick but unfortunately I can’t even make a trip to the bathroom without one of my children by my side. I talked to some friends who had lots of suggestions...”get a nanny!”, “take some time off work”, “take up a hobby”, “register for a triathlon”and “try a cleanse”. I’ve always wanted to try a juice cleanse. I’ve heard that it’s a great way to get glowing skin, a flatter belly, and rid your body of toxins. When I read about The Raw Juice Guru’s three-day cleanse, it all fell into place. I liked that I could have a juice menu customized to my taste preferences and health status. All I had to do was complete an online survey.

She says that 70 percent of their organic produce is grown on their private farm1. Their juice is cold pressed every day between11 pm and 3 am, and delivered to your door between4 am and 9 amin convenient glass bottles. I knew right away that if I was going to try it, this one was it. Day 1 of Cleanse 8 glass bottles filled with colourful concoctions arrived at my door. I was impressed by the variety of juices I’d be drinking throughout the day. The instructions told me to drink the juices in order every 90 minutes. I started with a parsley, chard, romaine, collard, cucumber, lemon and apple mixture. It was actually pretty tasty and 1.5 hours later, I was able to drink another 500ml juice. Juice 2 and 5 were my favourite because they were fruit based which made them sweeter! I was pretty lethargic most of the day.

I still worked for a few hours and played with my kids. I took them out swimming and made dinner but I wasn’t too pleasant to be around. That night, I experienced leg cramps until the end of day 2. I emailed Elaine and she ensured me that it was a good sign that the toxins were leaving my body. I was encouraged to continue on. Day 2 of Cleanse On the second day, I woke up not hungry and was 2 pounds lighter! A great way to feel good about the start of my day. I began my morning with a kale juice. The beet, pineapple, ginger and celery juice from today was my favourite of the cleanse. All day I was busy and found the drinking easy, my only discomfort was the continued cramping in my legs. But I shrugged it off, all for the good of the cleanse.

Day 3 of Cleanse 4 pounds lighter and accustomed to no chewing, I felt amazing! The leg cramps subsided and so did my hunger for real food. I considered continuing for a few more days but my husband convinced me that I was not the same cheerful wife and mom than when I am eating food that he might be willing to share with me. I was also reminded that I need to eat real food if I want to return to my regular workout routine. So the cleanse came to an end. Three days of a liquid cleanse further reminded me that I was more committed than ever to continue my journey to find new ways to eat healthier. Whether that means adding more veggies and fruits to my diet, or introducing more raw juices into my regimen, I feel that The Raw Juice Guru put me on the right path. Thanks, Elaine! Chlorophyll shot, anyone?

’ll never forget when my cousin came over for a sleepover when I was 6 years old, and her bag contained a bottle of Flinstones vitamins! I was so excited to have some as my mom did not have them in our pantry. Twenty minutes later, the whole bottle had been consumed by the two of us, and I’ll always remember my mom and aunt paving and arguing about what to do and whether to bring us to the emergency room! Now as an educated nutrition coach, the reaction that we had as children, and our parents concern is no surprise. This candy-disguised-as-supplement is, quite plainly, poison. I realize poison sounds like a dramatic label for this seemingly benign pill that was part of many of our own childhoods. However, consider these facts: FACT: artificial colours and flavours are also known as excitotoxins for what they do to our brains. They are linked to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. A growing brain is FOUR TIMES more sensitive to excitotoxins. FACT: glucose syrup is the first ingredient. Ingredients by law have to be listed in order of what it is primarily made out of. This means, these“vitamins”are quite plainly high-fructose corn syrup in a capsule. The implications of HFCS include increased blood fats which lead to heart disease, and diabetes.

As David Katz MD has been quoted, “this is the first generation of children whose parents are predicted to outlive them”. Albeit the issue of the mortality rate of our children is a multi headed monster, we simply cannot afford to continue in this direction and the best solution is to be aware and educated as consumers. Label reading is a great start. And when it comes to supplementation, we sought the advice of world renown paediatrician Dr. William Sears, who had this to say. “Before buying any supplement for your body or your child’s, take a look at the bottle. The bottle should have a link to a website that shows clinical, peer-reviewed, gold standard research on that product --that it gets into the bloodstream and that it does good things for you. If the supplement cannot provide that, run.” So what supplement does Dr. Sears recommend? Juice Plus, whole food based nutrition that includes juice powder concentrates from 25 different fruits and veggies. Juice plus is available in a capsule or in delicious, vegan gummies that are perfect for little ones. If you want to know more about Juice Plus please contact bebo mia and we will help you get started!

justyou

always thought that once you decide to start a family, you toss the birth control, give it the old college try, and then BAM! There you are in your cute maternity jeans going shopping for baby furniture and booking your family trip to Disney World. I was surely mistaken. We suffered through four years of numerous infertility treatments: IUI (intrauterine insemination), IVF (in vitro fertilization), and other fertility acronyms, injected boxes of fertility medications and hormones, suffered through multiple early term miscarriages, wished upon countless baby “good luck” charms, not to mention the crushed dreams and emotional pain that went hand in hand with this journey. Finally my husband and I decided that we had endured enough of putting my body and soul through the torture of trying to get pregnant; at the same time, we didn’t want to give up our dream of having a child genetically related to us. According to Resolve, a leading infertility advocacy organization, infertility affects 7.3 million people in the United States.

Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third to the male partner and one-third to a combination of factors that either affect both partners or cannot be explained. Our infertility was diagnosed as “unexplained”. Despite being told that were perfect candidates for IVF and considering our young age of 29 - with no apparent issues, and responding well to each cycle of medicine - we were not successful with maintaining a pregnancy. Following our fifth failed IVF cycle, we visited my wonderful fertility doctor to discuss our options. We had several frozen embryos remaining and could try IVF, by means of a FET (frozen embryo transfer), again on me with our frozen embryos. The chances of success were like playing a game of Russian roulette and our doctor was not very optimistic. As much as I wanted to be the one to carry my baby, my desire to have a family overcame this feeling and our doctor approved for us to move forward with surrogacy.

My husband was thrilled about this option. On the other hand, I was freaked out and was initially upset with the decision. At first, I did not fully come to terms with the fact that I personally would not be the one carrying our child or experiencing being pregnant and being in control the way I would do it (i.e. eating organically, prenatal yoga classes, etc). My pregnant friends casually stated that they were so jealous of our surrogacy decision saying things like, “at least you won’t get fat”, or “at least you won’t get morning sickness”. These types of statements initially made me extremely upset, ie. “thanks so much for reminding me of what I won’t be able to experience..really, do you think I am excited about not being able to carry my own child?” I now realize that people don’t mean harm with these innocuous statements and I was overly sensitive coming off another failed round of fertility treatments. At this point my husband, family, and friends were used to my outbursts of tears when broaching this subject. The process moved forward. Finding a surrogacy agency, a surrogate, an attorney, finalizing medical and psychological testing, finishing the gestational surrogacy contract and having the surrogate start the fertility medications took approximately 6 months. During that time, I was able to fully process the surrogacy journey and actually feel excited about the opportunity. We are blessed that we can afford this option as it can range from $60,000 to $100,000 plus. Expenses incurred include, the IVF procedure, medications, two different attorneys, one for surrogate and one for us, surrogate insurance, surrogacy agency fee, and the reasonable living expenses of the surrogate. My husband and I interviewed multiple candidates before selecting our amazing surrogate. The first surrogate we disqualified; based on her strong religious beliefs, she would not agree to termination or selective reduction of the fetus/ fetuses in the event of a life threatening problem. The second potential surrogate was excluded; when screened she was found to have a sexually transmitted disease. The third time was most delightfully the charm! Once we met our surrogate and her husband, we knew that she/they would be perfect for us. She was warm, friendly, positive, and genuinely excited to help us build a family. Her husband, two children, and large extended family were also all very supportive of her undertaking this journey. Even her grandmother, who we affectionately now call our “surrogate granny”, could not wait to get started. For the embryo transfer our surrogate stayed with us since she lived far from our fertility clinic. It was a great bonding experience as we relaxed on the couch following the FET. Two embryos were selected by our doctor and her embryologist and these were transferred into her uterus. We watched endless episodes of Orange is the New Black, ate lots of healthy food, and learned more about each other and our families. It was a very special time. Then came the dreaded waiting period. Following each fertility treatment, it takes approximately ten days, the 2ww (2 week wait), to discover whether a procedure works. Fast forward only four days after the embryo transfer and I’m at work on a conference call. I receive a text message and the voice on my conference call becomes a blur. All I can focus on is a picture of a positive pregnancy test on my phone; I was in shock. How does it show so early? Is this for real? I have been waiting for this image for 4 years!

uickly arrives the ten day mark for the pregnancy test and not only is our surrogate officially pregnant, her pregnancy hormone levels are extremely high, indicating twins! My husband and I are thrilled but are also in a state of shock. It is very hard to process this working for us when for so long we were used to disappointing news. Our surrogate’s positive outlook and wishful thinking truly inspired us enjoy this initial good news. To our amazement, the second trimester rolled around and my husband and I hopped in the car and travelled 4 hours to attend the gender ultrasound. We were overjoyed to learn that she was pregnant with twin boys. During the pregnancy, the surrogate and I would communicate almost daily on how she was feeling, how our respective families were doing, and we even became Facebook friends. For the doctor appointments that we could not make due to the distance, she would video tape the ultrasounds and send us pictures. I followed up and spoke to a nurse after each appointment. Our surrogate was truly incredible during the entire process and was genuinely excited for our gestating twins. Prior to my infertility experience, I practiced transactional law.My surrogacy journey and years of experience with infertility has now inspired me to practice surrogacy law, in addition to transactional law, so that I can help in the process to provide other options to build a family. I know it can be a daunting prospect when first considering surrogacy and I hope to be able to break the system down for couples to better understand the process and legal implications with using a surrogate.

My surrogacy journey and years of experience with infertility has now inspired me to practice surrogacy law, in addition to transactional law, so that I can help in the process to provide other options to build a family. I know it can be a daunting prospect when first considering surrogacy and I hope to be able to break the system down for couples to better understand the process and legal implications with using a surrogate. We feel incredibly blessed and are even among celebrities that have ventured down the surrogacy road such as Jimmy Fallon, Elizabeth Banks, Giuliana Rancic, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Martin, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Elton John. Additionally, we have received such incredible support and love from our friends, family, community and new surrogacy family to help make what seemed like the impossible become a reality. Four years later after initially deciding to start a family, my husband and I and our supportive friends have grown incredibly close during this process; you truly learn the quality of a relationship when tested with a challenge. This experience has shaped my career in inspiring me to practice surrogacy and reproductive technology law which will ultimately help others through the infertility process. I never would have imagined this series of events happening, but in hindsight, I would not have changed anything either as it has shaped and will continue to shape who our family is today in a significant manner.

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300 Atkinson Ave. (Bathurst & Centre, Thornhill)

•SUNDAY• OCTOBER 26th [10:00 AM]

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Associated Cedarvale

Kamin Education Centre

18 Neptune Dr. (Bathurst & Wilson)

1445 Eglinton Ave. W. (Beth Sholom Synagogue)

300 Atkinson Ave. (Bathurst & Centre, Thornhill)

•SUNDAY• OCTOBER 26th [10:00 AM]

•SUNDAY• OCTOBER 26th [3:00 PM]

•SUNDAY• NOVEMBER 2nd [10:00 AM]

▲

OPEN HOUSE

Posluns Education Centre

** Ask about our FREE BUSING from north of Hwy 7

Contact Pearl Greenspan at pgreenspan@ahschools.com or 905-889-3998, ext. 337

his is a big boy room for a 3-year-old boy, Dylan. The room is accessorized for a 3-year-old but as the child grows, the main pieces will remain age appropriate, and grow with him. When designing a kid’s room, I always try to avoid ‘cutesy’ elements to the room. Everything in this room is edgy, cool and hopefully will be stylish for a long time to come, yet it is still appealing to a 3-year-old. This room started with the amazing fabric sourced from Tonic Living. From this jumping off point, we selected the Monte Design Toddler Dorma bed colours of charcoal with a navy pipe. When choosing the furniture in the space, it’s important to think about how it will be used and functionally what you want to accomplish with each piece. This upholstered bed was chosen as it is sophisticated and will grow with the child, but also comes with the matching upholstered rails so the room isn’t taken down a notch with cheap removable rails. The beauty of this bed is that it can sustain the beating of a small boy and as a bonus, it has a trundle bed for future sleepovers!

The framed navy chalkboard wall is a great focal point to the room and anchors the bed. Adding the distressed wood and metal letters adds a personal touch without feeling too juvenile. The acacia wood night table took six months to find (Restoration Hardware options were sent back twice) and I’m glad I waited; it works perfectly with the wood letters above and then tied in the lamp with the metals all coordinating. On the opposite wall, narrow custom shelving provides a great spot to house some of Dylan’s toy trucks and cars. The metal bolts were a last minute add on (they cover up the drill holes where the shelves were fastened to the studs!).

hat was a fast summer! It is already time to start thinking about going back to school. This year, with the appointment of a National Financial Literacy Leader by the Federal Government, we know schools will be placing more emphasis on teaching children financial literacy. Shopping for back to school is a good way to start children’s learning about managing money. According to a Target Canada survey, 51 per cent of moms describe back-to-school shopping as expensive; it is a never ending money pit that can lead to debt problems. A 2013 Pollara survey found that parents planned to spend $428 per child on back to school shopping. That was an increase of more than 18 percent over what they spent in 2012. One can only imagine what will be spent on each child for the coming school year. Before parents hit the malls, a word of caution, make sure you can afford to pay the bills when they arrive. Every child wants new clothes and supplies for school, but that can be a very expensive proposition if you have not budgeted for it. Back to school shopping is a good place to start teaching children the difference between needs and wants.

And, it is also a reminder for parents to take a look at what their children currently own and determine if the item really needs to be replaced or if it can last another year. There are many ways to teach your children to be good money managers and back to school shoppers at the same time, including: Letting your children create their own shopping list and give them a maximum amount to spend on their supplies Setting up a reward system if they spend less than the budgeted amount Checking store flyers, price match and shop for supplies only when they are on sale Looking for uniform resellers to save on gently-used uniforms

Remembering that schools do provide certain items; have your child check with his/her teacher before spending any money

1. WHAT IS TRADITIONAL SURROGACY COMPARED TO GESTATIONAL SURROGACY? “Traditional surrogacy” is the process where the surrogate undergoes either artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF) using sperm from the male partner/partners involved or from an anonymous sperm donor. The surrogate herself provides the eggs and is therefore genetically related to the child. This is a riskier approach to surrogacy because of the genetic connection. With “gestational surrogacy”, the surrogate does not have a genetic relationship to the child. The embryo(s) transferred into the surrogate utilizes either the egg and sperm from the commissioning couple or utilizes donated eggs and/or sperm. Gestational surrogacy makes up the vast majority of modern surrogacy arrangements due to the elimination of any risk of the surrogate having a genetic connection. 2. What should I look for when selecting a surrogate? All surrogates should be fully informed of the entire surrogacy process. It is important for her to understand that she will have to interrupt family and work schedules to attend medical appointments, undergo fertility drug protocols and embryo transfers, perhaps multiple times. It is essential that surrogate and commissioning couple agree about the difficult issues relating to the pregnancy, such as how many embryos to transfer and whether or not she agrees to termination or selective reduction of the pregnancy if medically necessary. You want to ensure she leads a healthy lifestyle (i.e. diet, exercise, no drugs/alcohol, no diseases or health conditions that would impact the pregnancy), that she has good support system, that she has had a prior uncomplicated birth, that she is free of a criminal history, and that you feel in your gut that you can trust her with this important role. The surrogate should be no older than 40 and prior c-sections should be limited. It is helpful to determine that the surrogate has a car or readily available transportation so she can get to the numerous appointments. Additionally you should consider her job to see if it is conducive to working while pregnant. Surrogates are generally reviewed by a medical doctor, psychologist, and surrogacy agency (if applicable) to help assist with these determinations.

3. What is the approximate breakdown of cost associated with surrogacy? Surrogacy costs vary depending on numerous factors; however, the price for surrogacy can range from $15,000 (friend/family member with no compensation, referred to as a “compassionate surrogacy”) to upwards of $150,000. The commissioning couple seeking to use a surrogate is responsible for all of the costs relating to the journey which include (all estimates), but are not limited to, the fertility clinic, obstetrician, and hospital expenses for the surrogate (prices vary), a lawyer for the commissioning couple ($6,000-$10,000) and surrogate ($500-$1,000), psychological review of the surrogate and spouse/significant other ($400-$600), surrogacy agency fee ($10,000-$16,000), reasonable living expenses of the surrogate ($200/month), the surrogate’s fee ($20,000$35,000), health insurance for the surrogate (varies depending on insurance of surrogate, if any), term life insurance policy for the surrogate ($150-$200), and maternity clothes ($800). If a donated egg is required, the costs include the egg donation agency which may include insurance and lawyer fees ($4,500$10,000) and donor compensation ($5,000-$20,000). There are certain contingent payments that may be due to the surrogate, for example, twins ($4,000), c-section ($1,500), loss of organs ($5,000), and surgery on fetus ($500)

post-natal

ongratulations on your new baby! No doubt it has been a wild and exciting ride. For the past nine months you’ve been bonding with the baby in your womb and now your bonding will continue on a more intimate and intense level. As you know, there are many demands placed on new mothers (feedings, diaper changes, sleep deprivation, dealing with other children and family...). So even though you may not feel like it, now is the perfect time to begin or continue your yoga practice. There is a LOT going on both physically and emotionally after giving birth. Establishing a post natal yoga practice may help to alleviate some of your new mommy anxieties, sleeplessness, exhaustion and the physical aches you may experience from holding, changing and feeding your baby. Use these occasions to relax and think about practicing good posture. Slouching while feeding or hunching over a change table can definitely add to your neck and shoulder strain and/or pain in the low back.

toddler 1-2

In post natal classes you can bring your baby. You will stretch tired, sore muscles (neck, shoulders, low back, legs) and begin to re-strengthen and re-tone your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. It is important to take time to RELAX, BREATHE + DE-STRESS, and finding a class where this occurs is really important. Also try to focus on relaxation and breathing at home as often as you can. Your baby is smart and will pick up on your relaxed vibe- this is a very good thing!

There is a LOT going on both physically and emotionally after giving birth. Establishing a post natal yoga practice may help to alleviate some of your new mommy anxieties, sleeplessness, exhaustion and the physical aches you may experience from holding, changing and feeding your baby. Use these occasions to relax and think about practicing good posture. Slouching while feeding or hunching over a change table can definitely add to your neck and shoulder strain and/or pain in the low back. There are some simple movements new moms can do daily at home (even if you had a C-section) until you are able to exercise again. During the first few weeks after childbirth, take advantage of the times when your baby is settled or sleeping to practice gentle movements (see below) and/or relaxation. Once the baby is a little older and you are able to exercise regularly (approximately 6-8 weeks post delivery with clearance from your OB-GYN), join a post natal exercise class.

Here are some gentle movements to begin at home (several times a day if possible), even if you had a C-section:

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in a comfortable position, with a straight spine. Inhale with your head in a centre position (looking forward). Exhale and draw your chin to your chest, but keep your shoulders back and down. Inhale to prepare. Exhale and draw your right ear to your right shoulder. Inhale and bring your head back to centre (chin in to chest, shoulders back and down). Exhale and draw your left ear to your left shoulder. Note: Hold each position for 3-5 breaths, and repeat up to 5 times. Make sure your jaw is relaxed (no teeth clenching EVER)

Sit in a comfortable position, with a straight spine. As you inhale, lift your shoulders up to your ears.As you exhale, circle your shoulders forward. Note: Circle 3-5 times in one direction, and then the 3-5 times in the opposite direction.

Try this when lying in bed or while feeding. Wiggle toes and circle your ankles to the left 5 times and then repeat circling in the opposite direction. Repeat as often as you would like throughout the day. Note: This will help to alleviate swollen ankles and feet by increasing blood flow to your lower limbs.

This can be done lying in bed or while sitting on the floor with your legs outstretched Have your toes and knees facing the ceiling to start. Stretch your heels away from you while you pull your toes back to your shins.Note: This will feel amazing along the back of your legs and help to relieve swollen ankles and feet by increasing blood flow to your lower limbs.

hese are the most common questions I get when I tell people that I am a WeeHands Baby Signing instructor. Research, in fact, points in the opposite direction in that signing will actually enhance overall language development, including speech. A few key benefits to signing include larger vocabularies, superior reading skills, and less frustration and temper tantrums. Babies are visual learners, as many of us are. They understand what they ‘see’ before they understand what they ‘hear’. By adding signs to the interaction, it facilitates their understanding of what we are saying. Through sign language, babies also learn the key concept of ‘cause and effect’, as in “I do something – I get something”. For example, a baby learns “when I open and close my hand to sign ‘milk’” (the cause),“I get to drink really yummy milk” (the effect). This is far better than learning that pointing and grunting, whining, or worse, screaming, elicits the same results. Lastly, a prerequisite for learning to talk is called “motor imitation”, that is, learning to imitate actions. Before a baby can learn to imitate the complex movements of the tongue, lips, and jaw needed to produce speech, he must learn to imitate simple actions, such as clapping hands and waving bye-bye.

bye-bye. Will crawling delay walking? Of course not! Babies crawl before they can walk because they are not physically ready to walk, however, they have places to go and crawling is a way to get to those places. This certainly does not mean they will never walk because they already have a way to get around. Once they are ready, they will begin to walk. They may alternate between crawling and walking until they are steady on their feet, at which point they will be off and running because that is a much more efficient way to get around and ‘everybody else is doing it’. The same goes for signing and talking. Babies can use sign language before they are physically able to talk. Once the motor skills develop in their mouths, they will be chatting away. They may go through an overlap period of both signing and speaking, which can actually be quite helpful when their pronunciation is not yet clear. Additionally, some words are very hard to say, but easy to sign, such as ‘helicopter’. However, once their speech is clear and they realize how much faster it is and that everyone else seems to ‘talk’, they too will talk. If they do not seem to be meeting their speech milestones, further investigation may be worthwhile.

post-natal

toddler 1-2

Here are some gentle movements to begin at home (several times a day if possible), even if you had a C-section:

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By: Stephanie Spicer

ears on the first day? No not you! Your little one! We all know that it can be an emotional day for many parents, but the focus of this tip is the apprehensive new kindergarten student. It’s natural to miss mom or dad until a child feels safe and comfortable at school. Pack a family photo in your child’s backpack so that your child can look at the picture when they’re feeling lonely.

Packing lunch - If you have time, get your child to help you pack their lunch. It’s a great opportunity to help children learn about nutrition, and also increases the chances the food will be eaten if it was agreed upon at home! Picnic style lunches such as cut up fruit, veggies, crackers, and cheese are tasty, healthy meal options. The key is nutritious items that can be snacked on during the various eating opportunities throughout the school day. Soy-nut butter is a tasty, protein packed substitute for schools that do not allow tree nuts or peanuts due to allergies. Final tip, fill a water bottle and your child will stay hydrated during the day.

Kindergarten kicks - Many teachers will ask that you send your child to school with shoes that they can do up independently. Whether it’s Velcro or laces, many children still confuse left and right. One way to get around this is to draw a small happy face on the back of the shoe (half the smile on the left and half on the right shoe). Once the smile lines up, the child can step into the shoes correctly. If you don’t want to mark up the exterior of your child’s shoes, a simple dot on the left and right inner fabric of the shoe can help children prevent shoe mix-up. Just show your child how the dots need to touch before he or she slips on their outdoor or indoor shoes.

WHILE LEVI HAS BLOWN PAST PROVINCIAL STANDARDS IN READING, HIS TZEDAKAH FOR ISRAEL IS WHAT’S RAISING EYEBROWS. Cutting-edge academics and a spirit of community are what make our students reach further.

OPEN HOUSE WHERE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPEN.

Thursday, October 23 & Wednesday, November 19 @7pm www.rhacademy.ca RSVP: mviner@rhacademy.ca 416.224.8737 x 137 or contact Michele Viner to book a private tour

By: Stephanie Spicer

CMY

DANIELLE NOT ONLY CELEBRATED HER WIN IN THE CANADIAN LEGIONS LITERARY AND ART COMPETITION, SHE ALSO PACKED PASSOVER BOXES FOR DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES

Danielle, RHA Alumnus, Class of 2014

Cutting-edge academics and a spirit of community are what make our students leap ahead.

OPEN HOUSE WHERE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPEN.

Thursday, October 23 & Wednesday, November 19 @7pm www.rhacademy.ca RSVP: mviner@rhacademy.ca 416.224.8737 x 137 or contact Michele Viner to book a private tour

hen interviewing Carolyn from Speech Therapy Centres (www.speechtherapycentres.com), one thing really stood out: You do not need a doctor’s note or referral to see a Speech Pathologist. Accordingto Carolyn, 10% of children have some form of speech and language issues. Some obstacles are sounding out words, saying words with the correct timing, vocabulary building, verbal sentence structure, language delays and probably most important of all; Confidence in one’s speaking ability. “Speech Therapy Centres aid in many language areas, but the main function we strive to focus on is building overall communication skills,” said Carolyn, Speech Therapist. “It is a misconception that children who have a lisp, rolling R’s or stutter are the only ones who need help. For some kids just going back toschool can be frightening after a summer off school.” The lead up to back to school; new classmates, new teacher, new subjects to learn, and for some, even a whole new school can be terrifying and exciting. One way to help alleviate some of these transitional stresses and ensure kids and teens have more confidence as they pick up their new books, is to keep learning over the summer. After all, it is understandable that some of the skills learned have fallen wayside – particularly in reading and writing. Jeanette Podolsky, Director of Speech Therapy Centers, has some activity ideas to help you and your kids as they get back into the grind and feel confident heading back to the classroom. “By incorporating activities for listening, language expression, reading and writing into your daily routine, and creating a languageliteracy rich environment, you can help ensure smoother transitions at school,” says Jeanette. Here are her tips:

- Simon Says: This is a great game to sharpen your child’s listening skills. This game can help to improve verbal attention, following directions, language processing skills, and self-regulation. You can increase the difficulty level of the game based on your child’s skill level.

-Set aside some time for shared book reading. Look through the book with your child and encourage them to tell you the story. Encourage your child to read the words if the book is at their reading level. Encourage them to use the pictures in the book to support their story narration. Ask them to predict what will happen next in the story.

- Name-Place-Animal-Thing: Here’s a fun group word game that stimulates vocabulary and targets literacy skills. Ask one person in the group to call out a letter of the alphabet. All the members of the group then take a couple of minutes to write down a ‘name’, a ‘place’, an ‘animal’, and a ‘thing’ that starts with that letter. When all members in the group have finished writing down all four fields, each one calls out their list. Participants will get full credit for any responses that don’t overlap and half credit for any overlapping answers.

What did your child do this summer? Travel to a new and exciting place? Watched a movie that they’ve been waiting for forever? Encourage your child to write about it.

- Movie Reviews: Challenge your child to summarize a recent movie they have seen. Not only will this activity target organization of thoughts (beginning, middle and end), but it will also help with verbal memory, descriptive writing and presentation skills. Remember; encourage them to provide reasoning for their thoughts and likes or dislikes.

Do you wonder what your child liked about their summer holiday? Here is your chance to find out. Over dinner or some quiet time, have a discussion with your children where you compare this summer to last. Encourage them to talk about what was liked or not liked and how they can make next summer even more memorable. This activity uses comparison skills, problem-solving and generation of ideas for next summer!

ready, set, register! Kidville offers classes for newborns to age 6 in music & dance, gym and art and more – all under one roof! Our Fall 2014 semester begins the week of September 7. Register for a class today by calling 416.483.7070!

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often find myself wondering how to find a balance between the pressures of technology and ensuring my kids are staying ‘relevant’ in today’s world. I do not want my children to have the latest video game or phone or even be involved in social media just because their friends have it. I want my kids to ride their bikes, play with friends and talk to me (no, not via text message from the next room). I also do not want to be ‘that mom’. We all know who she is. The one who is strict and thinks that if her kid stays out 5 minutes past curfew that her child will turn into a pumpkin, or worse! A mom that may not appear to have faith in the judgments and common sense that she instills in her children. Yes, that mom. Oddly enough, I think I am that mom. Reflecting back to when I was 13 years old, I spoke to my friends at school or on the phone. Heck, if I had pictures to share, I would bring my photo album along with me. Yes it is true technology has grown on me. I must admit I use social media to share photos, reach out to friends, make new ones etc., guilty as charged. This however, is not about me. This is about my teenage daughter. A girl vulnerable to the, how shall I say, INTERNET. A mere child to me (superwoman to her) who I want to keep safe from such things as cyber bullying, predators and other horrific online monsters. Let’s be real, a teen? Why does a teen need social media? Why can’t she call her friends on the phone as I did? Speak to them at school? My daughter, in herlast year of middle school, may be the only kid in her class that is not involved in social media. Is that so wrong? After careful consideration, I think it is. The Internet has become the online photo album and telephone. Really, who opens their wallet to show off their children these days? We all flash our phones and scroll through the photos. That online bully is the same bully she would otherwise face at school. That online predator could just as easily be lurking around the bend. I cannot protect my daughter from the outside or the online worlds. I can only teach her to be properly armed. I can teach her to find that balance when using technology and staying ‘relevant’. I can teach her what to look out for, what to report and how to be safe. No different than how to cross a street, use a knife, or even cook. What do changeand grow are technology and its demands, personal or otherwise, to be relevant. What does not change, is me trying to be the best parent and protect my children from anything that can cause them hurt or harm. If that makes me ‘that mom,’ then I gracefully accept.

What did your child do this summer? Travel to a new and exciting place? Watched a movie that they’ve been waiting for forever? Encourage your child to write about it.

www.kidville.ca

t’s summertime! That means camp, the beach, the sun and most importantly no school. But just because your kids are not spending all day in the classroom does not mean that the summer isn’t a great time to read. This summertime full of great reads that are sure to excite your kids and ignite their love of reading.

1. I Want My Hat Back by John Klassen This is the fun and mischievous tale of a bear in search of his hat. As the bear encounters others animals throughout his journey the reader is delighted by the silly illustrations that are sure to have kids of all ages laughing.

2. Ling & Ting: Not exactly the Same by Grace LinLing and Ting are two identical who love to spend time together. From cooking dumplings to practicing magic tricks, these girls stick together. But looks can be deceiving and this story shows that just because people are identical does not mean that they are exactly the same.

3.Bluffton: My Summers With Buster by Matt Phelan Set in Muskegan Michigan in the summer of 1908 a visiting vaudeville troupe comes to a nearby city. This is exciting news for Henry who ogles the elephants, zebras, tightrope walkers, but most of all a slapstick actor his own age named Buster Keaton. Henry longs to have the talents of Buster, but it seems that Buster may also want a slice of Henry’s life.

4.Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Josée Masse Mirror Mirror is a book of poems that can be read both forwards and backwards. This book offers a new and exciting spin on the classics your kids love.

nnual doctor and dentist visits have worked their way into parents’ busy schedules, but according to American Optometric Association only 7% of kids have had a comprehensive eye exam by the start of first grade. “Vision may change frequently during adolescence and it is essential that children receive annual eye exams. Back-to-school is the perfect time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for your child so he or she can start the new school year off right,” says Dr. Mark Jacquot, Clinical Director of Vision Care for LensCrafters. These four insights will help you stay on the right track with your child’s eye health. Test Early: Recent research shows that simple school vision screenings detect just 5% of vision problems.

BeCautious About Screen Time: Children age 8 to 18 spend more than seven hours each day looking at screens, all of which emit dangerous blue light. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Tasty Food Can Help Vision: Antioxidant vitamins and minerals, lutein, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids help protect children’s eyes. Find them in scrambled eggs with bell peppers, homemade fish fingers, almonds, carrots and leafy greens. Cover Up: Sunglasses are the only way to protect kids’ still-developing eyes. “Look for sunglasses with 100% UV protection and make sure your child wears them even when it’s cloudy,” recommends Dr. Jacquot.

Pink & Blue Supports Community Businesses www.pinkandbluebaby.com We’re excited to share the Pink & Blue Moms Businesses with all of

By: Karen Wolff

The government’s plan to provide full-day junior and senior kindergarten is a positive and important step towards bringing Ontario more in line with developed countries that have a strong commitment to the education and development of young children.” www.etfo.ca Sending your child off to their first day of Full Day Kindergarten or FDK is a transition that is full of unknowns. Who will they spend their days with? What will they do there? When do I register? Why is necessary that my child spends all day in kindergarten? How is the program delivered?

hroughplay-based learning and small group instruction, children develop a foundation for learning in language, math, science, technology, physical education and the arts. They will develop social and emotional skills through interactions with peers guided by the teacher and ECE. Other activities in the classroom will foster: exploration and investigation, creative thinking and observation skills.

he FDK curriculum is delivered through play-based learning designed to help young learners explore, discover and grow. It is important to note that the‘play’ in play-based learning is structured and intentional. Play teaches children how to problem solve, make friends, express themselves, enjoy their surroundings, and how to recognize letters and numbers.

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FDK classrooms have an average of 26 students supervised and taught by a teacher and an Early Childhood Educator (ECE). In many scenarios the classes are split between JK and SK students. This means there may be a range of students between the ages of 3-6 years of age in the classroom. ECE’s have expertise in early childhood development while the teacher is responsible for student learning. Together they create a full day play-based learning environment based on the Ontario Curriculum for Full Day Learning.

Art In MotionDance Studio Narie Ju-Hong, artinmotion.ca, narieju@gmail.com FB art in motion dance studio, twitter @artinmotionto Ph:416-803-3900.

You may register your child as early as January in the year before they start. Early registration is key, as it helps the school plan class sizes which affects staffing. It is crucial that schools have the proper amount of teachers and ECE staff ready to go on the first day of school. Also, some schools host an orientation. Take your child to this event to meet their teacher and orient themselves with the school. Contact your local school for more information.

Go to the orientation. Go with your child, so the route to school, the classroom, teacher and surroundings are familiar. Start this routine early and visit the school a few times in the week leading up to their first day at school drop off. Start the ‘back to school’ routine ‘before back to school.’ Give your child time to get accustomed to what being a FDK student means. Establish routines for bedtime, waking up, breakfast and ‘out the door’. Structure and routine can be a difficult part of the transition to FDK so help prepare your child before school begins. Play school with your child. Play-based learning will take over your household soon enough so start now. You be the teacher, ask your child to practice unzipping their coat and hanging it on a hook (door handle?), have them change their shoes and put on their ‘indoor’ shoes, remind them to raise their hand if they have a question, help them to sit quietly and listen to a story you read aloud. Give them a crayon, help them hold it. Ask them to observe the back yard and tell you what they see. Practice healthy bathroom routines so they may do so independently and have them go into their bags and open their snack and water containers themselves. You will be amazed and likely reassured, about how much they already know and how prepared they really are for this. Remember to remind your child that you have confidence in them, and that you know they will be successful.

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Pink & Blue Supports Community Businesses www.pinkandbluebaby.com We’re excited to share the Pink & Blue Moms Businesses with all of

By: Karen Wolff

our readers and support their growing businesses.

Art In MotionDance Studio Narie Ju-Hong, artinmotion.ca, narieju@gmail.com FB art in motion dance studio, twitter @artinmotionto Ph:416-803-3900.